Breakup Season
2024 independent film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Breakup Season is a 2024 American romantic dramedy film written & directed by H. Nelson Tracey.[1] The film stars Chandler Riggs, Samantha Isler, and James Urbaniak, and follows a young couple whose relationship unravels during a Christmas visit to a rural Oregon hometown. Independently produced and financed, the project was developed through the Filmmaker Residency at the Eastern Oregon Film Festival.[2] It was filmed on location in La Grande, Oregon.[3]
- Stephen Mastrocola
- Rafi Jacobs
- Liana Montemayor
- Christopher Jennings
- H. Nelson Tracey
| Breakup Season | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | H. Nelson Tracey |
| Written by | H. Nelson Tracey |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Eric Macey |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | David Stal |
Production company | Static Films |
| Distributed by | Buffalo 8 |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Breakup Season had its world premiere at the Desertscape International Film Festival in St. George, Utah on March 29, 2024.[4][5] It had a limited theatrical release starting November 15, 2024,[1][6] followed by a worldwide digital release on December 6, 2024.[1] It received generally positive reviews from critics.
Plot
Ben Russell (Chandler Riggs) brings his girlfriend Cassie (Samantha Isler) to his rural hometown for Christmas. Not long after they arrive, tensions within the family and unresolved issues in the couple's relationship lead to an argument that ends in a breakup. Cassie plans to return home, but winter weather and the town's remote location make travel impossible. Forced to remain together for the rest of the holiday, she and Ben navigate the discomfort of their recent breakup while spending Christmas together alongside Ben's family.
Cast
- Chandler Riggs as Ben
- Samantha Isler as Cassie
- James Urbaniak as Kirby
- Brook Hogan as Mia
- Carly Stewart as Liz
- Jacob Wysocki as Gordon
- Kailey Rhodes as Cristina
Development
Breakup Season was developed through the Filmmaker Residency program at the Eastern Oregon Film Festival, which provided writer-director H. Nelson Tracey with time, creative space, and resources to develop the screenplay, marking his feature-length debut as a writer and director.[2][7] The script evolved through live readings and local engagement, forming the foundation for the film's emotional and geographic setting.[8][3]
Production
Principal photography took place in February 2023 in La Grande, Oregon.[9] Local community members participated as extras and provided logistical support.[10] The production was featured in local coverage for its positive impact on the community.[11][12][13]
Release
World premiere
Breakup Season held its World Premiere on March 29, 2024 at the Desertscape International Film Festival in St. George, Utah.[14] Cast and crew attended the premiere, including all 6 members of the principal ensemble cast, and the film received 4 awards from the festival.[15][16]
Festival circuit
Breakup Season screened at 39 film festivals in the United States.[17] Notable Film Festival selections included: Newport Beach,[18][19] Port Townsend,[20] Waco Independent,[21][22] Julien Dubuque,[23] RiverRun,[24] and San Antonio.[25] The film received multiple jury and audience awards on the festival circuit.[26][27]
- Denver premiere
Breakup Season had its Denver premiere at the Esquire Theatre on June 19, 2025.[28] The film's writer-director H. Nelson Tracey grew up blocks away from the Esquire Theatre, and the sold-out screening was one of the final public events at the historic 97-year-old venue before its closure.[29] It was covered by several local news outlets.[28][30][31]
- Tulsa premiere
Breakup Season held its Tulsa premiere at the Circle Cinema Film Festival on July 15, 2024, where it served as the festival's closing night selection.[32] The sold-out screening also coincided with Tulsa born actress Samantha Isler receiving a Circle Cinema Walk of Fame medallion,[33] an honor she described as a surreal milestone given her long history with the theater.[34][35]
- La Grande premiere
Breakup Season held its premiere in La Grande, Oregon, the movie's filming location, during the Eastern Oregon Film Festival on October 18, 2024.[26] The film screened to a sold-out audience at Eastern Oregon University's McKenzie Theatre and received a standing ovation.[7] The screening also coincided with La Grande's addition to the Oregon Film Trail, with a marker unveiled in the downtown core the following day recognizing Breakup Season as the 43rd film featured on the statewide trail showcasing movie locations within Oregon.[36]
Theatrical release
Breakup Season was released theatrically in 18 cities in the United States including Los Angeles, San Jose, Lexington, Mount Vernon, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Corvallis, beginning November 15, 2024.[17][7][37][38][39]
Home media
The film was released on digital platforms on December 6, 2024 via distributor Buffalo 8.[7] The film was released on DVD on September 30th, 2025, with bonus features including deleted scenes, director's commentary, and a making-of featurette.
Soundtrack
Breakup Season's soundtrack was composed primarily by artists from the Pacific Northwest. It features two original songs by Bag of Hammers, who are from La Grande where the film was set. The original score was composed by David Stal.[40]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sweetheart" | Stephan Eicher | 4:47 |
| 2. | "Alone Sitting on a Bench" | Travis Ward, Hillfolk Noir | 2:21 |
| 3. | "Steady on My Merry Way" | Lucky Wüthrich | 5:21 |
| 4. | "Need it or Not" | Tylor James Ketchum, Tylor & the Train Robbers | 3:54 |
| 5. | "Change Your Mind" | Bart Budwig | 3:12 |
| 6. | "Be My Eyes" | Nick Delffs | 3:35 |
| 7. | "It Ain't Christmas (If I Wake Up and I'm All Alone)" | Katie Buxton | 3:15 |
| 8. | "Christmas Tree" | Shem Thomas | 2:00 |
| 9. | "It's a Myth" | Psychic Twin, Erin Fein, Nick Schneider, Dusty Ineman | 4:12 |
| 10. | "We Tried" (Written for the film) | Bag of Hammers, Luke McKern and Holly Sorenson | 3:33 |
| 11. | "Fences" (Written for the film) | Bag of Hammers, Luke McKern and Holly Sorenson | 5:20 |
Vinyl Release
The Breakup Season soundtrack was released onto Vinyl in December 2025 after a Kickstarter fundraiser.[40] The vinyl soundtrack release featured 9 tracks from the film in addition to the song "Free to Love" by Rae Isla which was used in the film's trailer, as well as a score suite by composer David Stal.[40]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Free to Love" (From the "Breakup Season" trailer) | Rae Isla | 3:28 |
| 2. | "Alone Sitting on a Bench" | Travis Ward, Hillfolk Noir | 2:21 |
| 3. | "Steady on My Merry Way" | Lucky Wüthrich | 5:21 |
| 4. | "Need it or Not" | Tylor James Ketchum, Tylor & the Train Robbers | 3:54 |
| 5. | "Change Your Mind" | Bart Budwig | 3:12 |
| 6. | "Be My Eyes" | Nick Delffs | 3:35 |
| 7. | "It Ain't Christmas (If I Wake Up and I'm All Alone)" | Katie Buxton | 3:15 |
| 8. | "It's a Myth" | Psychic Twin, Erin Fein, Nick Schneider, Dusty Ineman | 4:12 |
| 9. | "We Tried" (Written for the film) | Bag of Hammers, Luke McKern and Holly Sorenson | 3:33 |
| 10. | "Fences" (Written for the film) | Bag of Hammers, Luke McKern and Holly Sorenson | 5:20 |
| 11. | "Breakup Season - Score Suite" (Compilation) | David Stal | 5:00 |
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 16 critics' reviews are positive.[41]
On The Oregonian, Kristi Turnquist wrote that "Breakup Season offers characters who don’t always act in ways you might expect, lets the good cast of actors shine, and by the end, earns genuine emotion, with a conclusion that feels totally right."[42] On Film Threat, Sabina Dana Plasse scored the film an 8 out of 10, writing in her review consensus section: "a promising seasonal classic for 20-somethings and the rest of us."[43]
Accolades
| List of accolades received by Breakup Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film Festival | Award | Recipient | Result | |
| Desertscape International Film Festival[16][44] | Best Feature Film | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Best Actress | Samantha Isler | Won | ||
| Best Ensemble | Ensemble Cast | Won | ||
| Audience Choice Award | Breakup Season | Won | ||
| Blue Whiskey Film Festival[45] | Best of Fest | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Best Narrative Feature | Breakup Season | Won | ||
| Best Director | H. Nelson Tracey | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | H. Nelson Tracey | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Carly Stewart | Won | ||
| Waco Independent Film Festival[21] | Best Feature Film | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Best Performance in a Feature | Chandler Riggs | Won | ||
| Best Director – Feature | H. Nelson Tracey | Nominated | ||
| Cobb International Film Festival[46] | Best Domestic Feature | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Samantha Isler | Won | ||
| Best Editing | William Neal, H. Nelson Tracey, Almog Avidan Antonir | Won | ||
| Madison Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Queens Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Oak Park Illinois Film Festival[47] | Best Narrative Feature | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Best Actress | Samantha Isler | Won | ||
| Richmond Film Festival | Grand Jury Prize for Feature Film | H. Nelson Tracey | Nominated | |
| Phoenixville Film Festival[48] | Best Feature Film | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Port Townsend Film Festival[20] | Audience Award – Best Narrative Feature | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Jury Commendation – Best Screenplay | H. Nelson Tracey | Won | ||
| Mystic Film Festival[49] | Best Screenplay | H. Nelson Tracey | Won | |
| Best Actor, Feature Film | James Urbaniak | Won | ||
| North Idaho Film Festival[50] | Grand Jury Prize – Best in Show | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Best Feature Film | Breakup Season | Won | ||
| Best Director | H. Nelson Tracey | Won | ||
| Best Actor in a Feature Film | Jacob Wysocki | Won | ||
| Best Actress in a Feature Film | Samantha Isler | Won | ||
| Gig Harbor Film Festival | Best Performance in a Feature Film | Carly Stewart | Nominated | |
| Best Director | H. Nelson Tracey | Nominated | ||
| Best Narrative Feature | Breakup Season | Nominated | ||
| Jury Prize | Breakup Season | Nominated | ||
| Klamath Independent Film Festival | Grand Jury Prize – Best Northern Feature | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Eastern Oregon Film Festival | Audience Choice – Best Narrative Feature | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Naples International Film Festival[51] | Best First Feature | H. Nelson Tracey | Won | |
| Mentone Film Festival[52] | Best Feature | Breakup Season | Won | |
| Best Actor | Chandler Riggs | Won | ||
| El Dorado Film Festival[53] | Best Feature Film | Breakup Season | Won | |
